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Breed Profile: The Vizsla

The Vizsla (VEE-shla), from Hungary is a versatile hunting dog primarily used to point upland game birds. However, the Vizsla excels as both a pointer and retriever on both fur and feather.

Overview
The Vizsla stands between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder with a tail docked to about 2/3rd its original length. Weight ranges from 40-65lbs. They are a striking breed with their low maintenance short, rust color coat. They should be lean and muscular.

All Around Dog
This dog can participate in field and hunting trials, conformation, agility, tracking, therapy and flyball. Would also make a great jogging or hiking companion.

Health
There is a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia.
The Vizsla tends to be a long lived breed.

Early Training
With all breeds training can begin as early as 7 weeks of age. Early training
can help create a wonderful companion and a happy, centered dog. This breed is very smart, so the more training, the better.

Temperament
The temperament is affectionate, fearless but sensitive and very intelligent. This is a high energy breed so if not given a job and daily exercise of more than a leash walk the chewing and destruction knows no bounds. The breed requires a minimum of one hour of exercise per day but as they have energy to go go all day, more exericse is better. Many people do not realize this breed has some protective instincts.

This is a breed that loves its people and can be a Velcro dog. Vizlas do best with positive training methods vs harsh corrections. The dog still needs to understand boundaries but old style training methods tend to backfire with this breed.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..